Initial Investigation of the Feasibility of Antiproton-Catalyzed Inertial Confinement Fusion

The deposition of antiprotons in and subsequent fission of uranium or plutonium has been proposed as a method to assist the driver of an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) pellet and as a spark initiator. In past studies with 1-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics codes others have predicted the behavior of these conceptual pellets, including very large compression ratios and large fusion plus fission energy yields. However, in these highly idealized studies factors that have reduced predicted yields in past ICF experiments were neglected or not discussed. Thus this concept warrants further study to validate its feasibility with higher confidence, and we have begun a three-phase program to do this. We will investigate the theoretical aspects of antiproton-initiated fission/ICF by using more competent 2-d and/or 3-d codes and extensive data libraries that weren't available for the past studies. Next, a technology development project will include the design and construction of systems for accumulating, storing, and transporting antiprotons. Finally, three proof-of-principle implosion experiments will be conducted at the Phillips Laboratory's Shiva Star facility. We discuss the goals, participants, cost and schedule of this program.